Exploring the intersections of cinema
For the final installment of the Silver Screen Sports series Alex and Jonathan look at three documentaries that cover a range of sports: Tokyo Olympiad (1965), Hoop Dreams (1994), and Senna (2010). We discuss three different approaches to the creation of a documentary, the difference between fictional and non-fictional representation of sports, and the appeal… Continue reading Episode 124. Silver Screen Sports: Documentary Dreams
Following up on Episode 109 about team sports, Alex and Jonathan step into the ring and tackle three films about individual sports: Rocky (1976), Chariots of Fire (1981), and The Rider (2017). We discuss what makes an underdog story so powerful, when a sports movie falls short of being greater than the sum of its… Continue reading Episode 117. Silver Screen Sports: Individual Glory
To kick off a new mini-series of podcast episodes this season, Alex and Jonathan look at how various team sports are portrayed in the films Field of Dreams (1989), Remember the Titans (2000), and Invictus (2009). We discuss the ways sports are used in film to bring people together on various levels, the effectiveness of… Continue reading Episode 109. Silver Screen Sports: No I in Team
Heavens! Today Alex and Jonathan wrap up the Films de Femmes series and look at the varied career of the well-rounded filmmaker and entertainer Elaine May in her films A New Leaf (1971), Mikey and Nicky (1976), and Ishtar (1987). We talk about her background in improvisational comedy, her range of directing styles from comedy… Continue reading Episode 95. Films de Femmes Trois: Elaine May
Continuing our series focusing on female filmmakers, Alex and Jonathan take a look at the narrative and documentary career of French New Wave pioneer Agnes Varda in her films Le Bonheur (1965), The Gleaners & I (2000), and Faces Places (2017). We talk about Varda's capacity for biting social commentary, her empathy for her documentary… Continue reading Episode 89. Films de Femmes Deux: Agnes Varda
In the first of a series of episodes focusing on the cinematic contributions of female directors, Alex and Jonathan look at the career of Sofia Coppola in The Virgin Suicides (1999), Lost in Translation (2003), and The Beguiled (2017). We talk about Coppola's atmospheric style, the way she presents the relationship between men and women… Continue reading Episode 83. Films de Femmes: Sofia Coppola
For the final episode in the Hepburn vs. Hepburn series, Alex and Jonathan discuss The African Queen (1951) starring Katharine Hepburn, and Charade (1963) starring Audrey Hepburn. We talk about Katharine's return to Hollywood and career after being "over the hill," Audrey's ability to mix comedy and fear, and how these films mark the end of an era… Continue reading Episode 63. Hepburn vs. Hepburn: Round 3 – Stay Alive
The listeners responded to our latest Twitter polls to decide what films Alex and Jonathan should discuss starring Katharine and Audrey Hepburn, and the result was two films both directed by George Cukor: The Philadelphia Story (1940), and My Fair Lady (1964). We discuss what it means to be a "woman's director," how Cukor approaches various romantic… Continue reading Episode 58. Hepburn vs. Hepburn: Round 2 – The Cukor Corner
A friendly feud finally comes out in the open as Alex and Jonathan discuss the wonderful talents of the two most famous Hepburns: Katharine and Audrey. We watch Bringing Up Baby (1938) and Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961) and discuss the jokes of screwball comedies, each actress' typical persona, and controversial aspects of old movies. https://youtu.be/agv0q19NTWA?si=Nkrs0GbnzgWKidbn https://open.spotify.com/episode/5jXVmOjLfyfN27RB75XcWG?si=fIrJU9rRSFCT8TH9IdXpkw Also… Continue reading Episode 48. Hepburn vs. Hepburn: Round 1 – Cat Fight
Alex and Jonathan reach for the stars in the final part of the samurai series as we look at Akira Kurosawa's The Hidden Fortress (1958), and George Lucas' Star Wars (1977). We discuss the difference between adaptation and inspiration, the amorphous definition of "original," and factors that create lasting cultural impact. https://youtu.be/wtV-42VeV2o https://open.spotify.com/episode/1HPpIfmQWMBsH7tRfOOLyb?si=5a82LY9tQpaMHHFx1koRew Also on iTunes Skip to:… Continue reading Episode 23. Samurai in Space
In the third installment of our Samurai and Sombreros series, Alex and Jonathan look at Akira Kurosawa's Rashomon (1950) and it's western genre adaptation The Outrage (1964). We talk Rashomon's technical innovations, what makes a work stand the test of time, and examples of the "Rashomon Effect." https://youtu.be/Mio9gL2gD_k https://open.spotify.com/episode/130wpDISsx7Cf0YaMEhm1N?si=157gFAAtTfiwQ7X2S7qhTA Also on iTunes Skip to: Rashomon (3:55), The Outrage (22:35), Overall (40:57), Coming Attractions (55:10)… Continue reading Episode 20. Samurai and Sombreros Vol. 3
Once again we pit sword-masters against gunslingers in part two of our Samurai and Sombreros series. This week Alex and Jonathan discuss Akira Kurosawa's Yojimbo (1961) and Sergio Leone's A Fistful of Dollars (1964). We talk about tonal changes in adaptations, visual character development, and varied uses of violence and humor. https://youtu.be/LpTGp0zlTZA https://open.spotify.com/episode/1bQ4rPmsJFwAwwiIRQVJq0?si=spsjROY4Ro6djX_z9n3KDw Also on iTunes Skip to: Yojimbo (3:33), A Fistful… Continue reading Episode 14. Samurai and Sombreros Vol. 2
Don't bring a six-shooter to a katana fight. Samurai and Sombreros won our recent Twitter poll so Alex and Jonathan take a look at Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai (1954) and its western adaptation The Magnificent Seven (1960). We talk about archetypal stories, cultural influence on art, and using inspiration to create a new and distinct work. https://youtu.be/UFiZSP-1jDY… Continue reading Episode 11. Samurai and Sombreros
The Filmlings 